Metro

One Killed, Others Injured As Suspected Herders Attack Edo Community

Published

4 months ago

March 23, 2025

Suspected Fulani herdsmen’s attack in Ukhun community, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State resulted in the death one one person while several others were said to have sustained verying degrees of Injures.

This incident occurred despite the state government’s ongoing efforts to rid the region of criminal herders and kidnappers.

The attack, which reportedly took place on Saturday, was revealed in a one-minute, 30-second video circulating on social media.

In the video, a voice narrates: ”Situation report, situation report. This is Ukhun Community in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. We are under attack. Ukhun Kingdom is under attack.

“The Fulani herdsmen have blocked the road. They killed Mr. Dan, an Igbira man living in Ukhun, in the bush this morning, and we are still searching for others who are missing.

“We need government support; we need rescue. Please, anyone who can help, we are reporting live from Ukhun, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. This is a situation report.”

According to local sources, the suspected herders ambushed farmers on their way to their farmlands, allegedly attempting to kidnap them. However, the farmers managed to escape, attributing their survival to divine intervention.

Residents of Ukhun lamented that such attacks and kidnappings have become alarmingly frequent in their community.

They recalled in February 2025, Mallam Bello Obadan was ambushed, macheted, and kidnapped while heading to his farm.

He sustained severe cuts on his nose and other parts of his body, eventually collapsing due to blood loss while being taken to the kidnappers’ camp.

Believing him dead, his abductors abandoned him.

However, he was miraculously rescued and spent three months in the hospital, incurring significant medical expenses.

In response to the attack, the Onojie of Ukhun, Zaiki Thomas Aboiralor Omoigiade, appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Commissioner of Police Betty Nekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, Director of DSS, Bello Bakori, Director of Edo State Security Network, CP Friday Ibadin (Rtd), and Ekpoma Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to intervene and safeguard the lives and property of the community.

“Ukhun is in dire need of government intervention and assistance to protect our people,” Omoigiade stated.

Similarly, Alex Eguakhide, Chief Executive Officer of FECHA Project Ltd, called on the Edo State government to take decisive action, emphasizing that the people of Ukhun, primarily peasant farmers, now live in fear of kidnappings and killings.

He lamented that the insecurity has made life unbearable for the agrarian community, as many residents can no longer farm or provide food for their families.

“Nowhere is safe anymore for my people,” Eguakhide stressed. “Something must be done urgently to arrest the situation and bring these invaders to justice.”

Reports indicate that the DPO of Ekpoma, Solomon Ekeweye, led a team of police officers to assess the crime scene.

Contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, stated that the command was not yet been briefed on the incident but, promised to investigate and provide updates.

However, as of press time, no further information had been received.

Metro

Police Declare Two Wanted Over Attack On Ahoada-East LGA Administrator, Theft

Published

2 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has declared two top officials of the Ahoada-East Local Government Area wanted over their alleged involvement in the brutal attack on the LGA’s Sole Administrator, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor.

Declared wanted are Mr. Hector Ekakita, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi, Chief of Staff (COS) of the LGA.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police said the duo is wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder. The offenses stem from a violent incident that occurred on June 20, 2025, at the Ahoada-East Council Secretariat.

According to the statement, Ekakita and Olodi, alongside a group of about 30 others, allegedly conspired to assault the Sole Administrator, inflicted injuries on him, forcibly obtained his signature under duress, stole his mobile phones and sensitive documents, and carted away both personal and official property from his office.

The police revealed that despite repeated invitations, the suspects have failed to appear for questioning, prompting the declaration.

“The Rivers State Police Command has declared the following individuals wanted… Mr. Hector Ekakita – Chief Security Officer (CSO), Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi – Chief of Staff (COS), Ahoada-East LGA,” the statement read.

“Their actions resulted in bodily harm to the administrator, who continues to receive medical treatment.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, has urged the suspects to report to the Police State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, without further delay.

He also warned that anyone found aiding or shielding the suspects would face the full weight of the law.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and maintaining public peace and safety,” the statement concluded.
(VANGUARD)

Metro

10 Die In Ogun Night Bus Crash

Published

7 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries in a lone crash involving a Mitsubishi bus on the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Expressway.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

Akinbiyi said the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Ome Bridge, Awa, along Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan highway in Ijebu North Local Government Area.

He stated that the lone crash involved a Mitsubishi bus, registration number EJ829-LSR, which was conveying 15 passengers at the time.

According to Akinbiyi, seven male and three female passengers died. Three others were injured, while a toddler and one adult escaped unhurt.

He said preliminary findings indicate that overspeeding and wrongful overtaking led to the accident.

“Eyewitnesses said the driver wrongly overtook another vehicle at high speed and could not regain control after noticing an oncoming vehicle.

“The driver veered off the road, hit an abandoned gravel pile beside the bridge, and plunged the vehicle into the river,” Akinbiyi explained.

He said the deceased were taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital’s morgue, while the injured were also being treated at the same facility.

The spokesperson urged motorists to avoid speeding and to refrain from travelling at night, stressing the importance of road safety at all times.

Metro

NDLEA Detains Couple, 2 Daughters For Alleged Drug Running

Published

8 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday said it has arrested and detained a businessman, his wife and two daughters over alleged drug peddling.

A statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in Abuja, stated that a family friend of theirs was also taken into custody.

Babafemi said that this came after an investigation revealed that the family ran a major illicit drug distribution network in Lagos involving a family friend.

“The couple was first arrested on Friday, June 13, by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Ojo area of the state and transferred to NDLEA along with 277.5kg of skunk.

“While they were still being investigated in custody, credible intelligence revealed that the family business was going on in his house.

“This led to a raid of their home and a packing store where 231kg of the same substance was recovered on Tuesday, July 1.”

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 2, intercepted a frequent flyer for drug trafficking.

Babafemi said that the suspect specialised in conveying goods for customers from Nigeria to Italy and vice versa.

“He was found to have hidden 7,660 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg inside food items packed among other goods he was conveying to Italy.

“He claimed that he was to be paid the sum of 800 euros upon successful delivery of the drug consignment in Italy,” he said.